Lampard, who signed for the new American franchise just last week, will join the Premier League Champions until January before the MLS season kicks off in March.

The midfielder will link up with Manuel Pellegrini’s squad next week, as the Chilean boss confirmed that he would not just be joining to improve his fitness.

"He’s a member of the squad and he will fight for his position,” Pellegrini said after City were beaten in their pre-season friendly by Olympiakos.

"He knows we have a good team and we have a lot of games in the Champions League so he's very important for our team."

In a move that may be a bitter blow for Chelsea fans, it appears Lampard hasn’t had his last hurrah in the Premier League just yet. The 36-year-old is also yet to make up his mind over his international future, with England’s Euro 2016 qualifying campaign getting underway next month. His move to City will only improve his chances of selection should he wish to continue.

It had been speculated that Lampard would join on the condition that he did not have to face Chelsea when the two sides meet in September. But Pellegrini also said that he must play every game in which he is needed.

Dan Connor

Dan is a sports journalism undergraduate from Barry, South Wales. He is a club journalist at West Bromwich Albion and a weekly writer for The Independent’s sport section. Previous work for BBC Sport, BBC Radio and Manchester United has seen Dan cover a range of sport such as rugby union, tennis and Formula One. His expertise lies in Welsh football, in particular with Cardiff and Swansea City.